The non-coupled substrate oxidation mediated by components of the electron transport chain that are not coupled to energy accumulation (such as plant alternative oxidase and rotenone-insensitive NADH dehydrogenases) and uncoupled respiration are peculiar features of plant mitochondria. The physiological significance of such energy-wasting oxidation processes is still debated. It is proposed that non-coupled oxidation could regulate the level of reduction of components of the electron transport chain and the rate of one-electron reduction of oxygen, thereby affecting the rate of formation of reactive oxygen species.

Keywords:
alternative oxidase, non-coupled respiration, reactive oxygen species, uncoupled respiration
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© 2003 Biochemical Society
2003
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